Improvement in velocipedes



@anni dimite.

tutrd mes LYMAN F. HODGE, OF POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK.

Letters Patent No. 91,937, dated June 29, 1869.

IMPROVEME T IN VELOCIPEDES.

The Schedule referred to in theseV Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom lt may concern Y brake, and consists in the construction, arrangement,

and combination of parts, as hereinafter more fully described.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings-` Figure 1 represents a vertical side section of the steering-apparatus, embracing a portion of the reach, `together with the brake, the section beingthrough the line a: x of' fig. 2.

Figure 2 is a top lview ofthe same.

Figure 3 is a cross-section of tig. 1, through the line y y, showing the method of keeping the steering-post tight inits socket.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents the reach.l

B is the socket of the steering-post.

C is the steering-post, the lower portion ot' which is bisected, with the legs passing 'down on each side of the steering-wheel to the axle. Above the socket it isalso bisected, with the arms spread for supporting the steering-bar. l

This construction of the steeringfpost does not dif-J ier materially from that ot' ordinary velocipedes. D is the Vsteering-bar, with handles upon either end, as indicated in red color.

1n ordinary velocipedes, the brake-strap E is wound aronndthe bar, by revolving the bar by means ofthe handles.l Y 4 Y l This action is necessarily slow,.and the purchase obtained by grasping the handles is, of course, small.

To render the operation of' the brake F more sudden and eiiectual on the wheel, I attach short thumblevers, g g, to the bar, which rest between the thumbs and fore-lingers of the hands, and give a lever-purchase on the bar. y

To render this action quick, I attach a short lever, h, with a loop for the brake-strap E.

By this` arrangement the action of the brake is rendered instantaneously eiective with a slight exertion of force.

The socket B is a solid tubular piece, and forms part vof the reach. At its lower end it is chambered out for an ad' j ustahle box, as seen at i, which box is in two parts, each part being provided witba set-screw, j, for tightening up the boxes on the steering-post., and producingthc friction necessary to keep the post steady and prevent thel constantpvibration of the bar, so tiresome to thearvlns of the rider, especially when the parts y become ioose from wear.

in ig.3. i g l By these improvements the management of the velocipede is rendered easy and agreeable.

IHaving thus described my invention,

I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters This arrangement is seen Patent- 1. The thumb-levers g' g, in combination with the steering-bar of a velocipede, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. An adjustablebox or bush in the socket of the steering-post of a velocipede, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. 1n combination with the bar D, theloop-lever h, for the brake-strap E, substantially as described.

The above specification of my'invention signed by me, this 10th day ot' May, 186i). y

' LYMAN F. HODGE.

Witnesses FRANK BLOCKLEY, G. L. TOPLIFF. 

